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A 1763 Georgian Manor near Williamsburg and Virginia's Historic Triangle

Hartfield, VA, USA

Chalet4000 sq. ft.

Bedrooms3

Sleeps6

Bathrooms3

Half Baths0

Min Stay2 nights

Your luxury retreat to the 18th century, on 25 serene rural acres

Steeped in History

Step back in time to 1763, when William Churchill, the patriarch of one of Virginia’s leading colonial families, completed the construction of Wilton House, an elegant, now beautifully preserved, T-shaped Georgian plantation house near the Piankatank River in the Tidewater region on Virginia's Middle Peninsula.

Whether you come for a weekend or a week, a month or a season, Wilton’s eight graciously furnished rooms -- filled with 18th and 19th century antiques, dramatic oriental rugs, and an alluring collection of 19th and 20th century paintings – will provide stimulation for the senses, respite for the soul, and renewal for the spirit.

Three bedrooms and three accompanying bathrooms make Wilton House an inviting setting for one or two couples or a small family or group of friends. The house can comfortably accommodate up to six overnight guests.

This historic plantation house is a travel destination in its own right. But Wilton is also a convenient jumping off point to explore the quiet pleasures of Tidewater Virginia, from kayaking along the nearby Piankatank River, to sailing from Deltaville, eating fresh oysters along the Rappahannock, or exploring the nearby villages of Urbanna, Kilmarnock and Gloucester Courthouse. Richmond, Colonial Williamsburg (intimately tied in spirit and history to Wilton House), and a host of James River Plantations are within an hour’s drive.

The House: Reception Rooms

Sit for a while in the paneled parlor, the most elegant room in the house, with walls wearing only their second coat of paint ever, “Williamsburg blue,” applied over 200 hundred years ago. Mr. Churchhill entertained his most important guests in this showpiece room. Today the furnishings are intentionally simple -- just four early Queen Anne chairs around a 1760 drop-leaf table, placed in the center of the room -- the better to appreciate this remarkably well preserved paneling, in the high-style of the late Colonial period. This can be a place for a game of cards, for animated conversation, or for simply imagining what has transpired within these four walls over the past two and a half centuries.

Across the hall, the Red Room awaits, a less formal, but no less striking parlor with its stunning red-painted woodwork. This gathering room is the perfect spot for conversation among friends, drinks before a fire, board games, reading, or listening to music. (One of two Bose music systems is here in The Red Room.)

There are no TV screens at Wilton, but there is high speed Wi-Fi throughout the house and in this spacious room you might comfortably catch up on your email or otherwise connect to cyberspace while sitting on the Sheraton period sofa, or one of two the circa 1790 lolling chairs. Or you may be inspired to sit at the impressive ca. 1800 Virginia slant-front desk and bookcase and pen a letter to an old friend. The antique furnishings here, as in the rest of the house, are not just to be viewed and admired but to be used for their intended purposes. Make yourself at home.

Formal Dining Room and Country Kitchen

Walking from the two front parlors and the central passage between them toward the back of this T-shaped house takes you to the staircase hallway. This is the heart of Wilton, and, yes, it’s all original: the painted paneling, the heart pine stairs themselves, the walnut balustrades and handrail.

Passing through the staircase hall, the elegant dining room beckons. The mostly Federal period furniture here includes the ca. 1800 mahogany Hepplewhite table, with its impressively figured wide boards; eight Federal period dining chairs, and a 1790 Baltimore serpentine sideboard with two Federal knife boxes sitting atop. A tall clock keeps the time, and sparkling period-style lighting illuminates several 19th century American paintings on the walls. Plus, all you need for an elegant dinner setting is at hand: gleaming crystal stemware, a complete 19th century dinner service, and flatware to match.

Despite all the attractions of the foregoing rooms, you may find yourself spending a lot of time in the kitchen, with its warm hearth of 250-year old brick fabricated on the premises. Abundant bright natural light from its three windows on the east, north and west walls reflects off newly plastered white walls over 18-inch thick masonry. Underfoot are warm (and well worn!) heart pine floors. There are top of the line appliances here, of course, and gleaming white French Limoges porcelain as well as everything you need to cook -- for two or ten (or not at all.) The feeling is of a country style kitchen, simple yet elegant. A late 18th century hutch table and six Windsor chairs provide an inviting setting for everyday day meals, or perhaps an intimate chat over a spot of tea.

Upstairs...

Head up the steps from the stairway hall and you will find three bedrooms and three full baths. To the right at the head of the stairs is the privately situated master bedroom suite, in the rear portion of the house. You first enter the bedroom, with its inviting antique queen-sized, four poster bed, ca.1820. Early red-painted wooden shutters here will keep out the unruly morning sun. Beyond is a large, full bathroom and dressing area, where a 4-foot square Carrera marble and glass rain shower mixes company with 250-year old heart-pine floors and the most unusual of the 23 window seats in the house. In front of the hearth, a 1760 mahogany, “colt-footed” Irish drop leaf table and accompanying desk chair invite you to linger.

The two other bedrooms and bathrooms sit across the upstairs hallway in the front of the house. The large Churchhill Room, on the Southwest corner, has its own en suite bathroom, with tub and shower wand. This amply proportioned room features an antique Southern black walnut acorn-top bed, retrofitted as a California king. Two easy chairs (ca. 1980!) and a stunning 1790 mahogany slant front desk make this an inviting space for sitting, reading, writing, study -- and sleeping!

On the Southeast corner is the smaller third bedroom, the Salem Room, with its mahogany carved double bed, ca. 1820, a ladies dressing table and a 1790 shield-back arm chair, (all from the Massachusetts North Shore, possibly Salem.) This bedroom is served by the adjacent hall bath, with its spacious subway-tiled shower.

More Afield...

And, yes, there is more. Outdoors, two patios and several benches invite you to enjoy the fresh country air and the massive English boxwoods that wrap around the front of the house.

Beyond, a stroll along the driveway, across the fields and through the woods of Wilton’s 25 acres makes a nearly one-mile loop.

Log Cabin

Need just a little more solitude? A 19th century log cabin -- heated but not plumbed -- sits 100 feet to the west of the house; its one room with fireplace and sleeping loft above provides a place apart.

Slave/Kitchen Quarter

And last but not least is another special feature of Wilton plantation. One hundred and fifty feet to the east of the main house is a circa 1840 dependency. This 16’ x 32’ cabin is a duplex structure, divided down the middle into two rooms, each with its own outside entrance and fireplace. This outbuilding was most likely used as a slave dwelling as well as a kitchen and perhaps a laundry. The chimneys have been rebuilt, and failing plaster has been replaced and re-worked, but the structure, like the main house, has lost none of its authenticity. Guests are invited to use the cabin, and their imaginations, to ponder what it must have been like to live and work in this space nearly 200 years ago.

Your Host

Your host during your stay at Wilton will be Judith Dickinson. Judith was born in the south west of England and has spent her professional life in the hotel industry and private estates. She uses these skills running her bed and breakfast, Atherston Hall, in nearby Urbanna. Her attention to detail ensures Wilton is always beautifully prepared for arriving guests . She will be also be happy to make special arrangements for your visit, including catered meals, provisioning, housekeeping, laundry service, and event planning.

Wilton and its 250-year history beckon. We await your inquiries -- and your arrival.

Property Manager

Judith Dickinson

Member Since 2006

Speaks:

english

Calendar last updated:

Nov 19, 2018

About Judith Dickinson

I grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and have lived and worked in Washington DC for the past four decades. No doubt my New England roots and Virginia's fascinating early American history lured me to explore and finally take on the preservation of this remarkable colonial plantation house.

Judith Dickinson purchased this Chalet in 2011

Why Judith Dickinson chose Hartfield

At a time of personal transition, I was looking for a project that was engaging and challenging. Wilton House was it! Though 250 years old, this colonial plantation house had never been modernized. And, miraculously, it retained almost all its original features -- masonry, flooring, woodwork, floorplan and exterior foot print. Even the paint dates back to the 18th century. All it needed was some tender loving care -- and modern plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems. The result, I think, is a very livable home with all the modern comforts but with the authentic look, touch and feel of the 18th century original. Live here for several days, or a week, or a month and breath in 250 years of Virginia history.

What makes this Chalet unique

A just published book, 15 years in the making, by the folks at Colonial Williamsburg, entitled 'The Chesapeake House,' features a picture of the front hallway at Wilton. It's a stunning image, but one that is easily matched by a dozen or more similar sights at this remarkable property. Two hundred and fifty year-old woodwork with 250 year-old paint. Paneled interior shutters on 9 over 9 windows downstairs, 6 over 6 up. Twenty-three -- count'em -- window seats. Heart pine floor boards, never varnished and never ever sanded, that have only gotten more beautiful, and soulful, with time. Wilton will be high on the list for lovers of old architecture and historical homes. But you won't have to be a history buff to recognize that this is simply a beautiful place to slow down, breath deeply, and allow your soul to rest and then expand.

Amenities

Internet

Air Conditioning

Fireplace

Washer & Dryer

Parking

Heater

Bedrooms

3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6

Bedroom 1

1 queen, Antique field 4-poster but in modern queen size.

Bedroom 2

1 king, Antique four poster retrofitted as a California King.

Bedroom 3

1 queen, An antique 'short' queen bed, for one or an intimate pair

Bedroom 1 is the Master bedroom, with a large en suite bath. It occupies the back of the house and is especially private. Bedroom 2 is the principal guest room, ample sized, with en suite bath. Bedroom 3 is smaller but charming and one of its two closets houses the washer-dryer. The hall bathroom, with shower, is adjacent.

There are three full baths upstairs and one powder room downstairs. The master bedroom has a large en suite bathroom, measuring 14' x 20', with a beautiful 4' square Carrera marble and glass shower as well as an easy chair and writing desk. The guest bedroom has an en suite bath with tub, shower wand and a window seat. The hall bath is adjacent to the smaller third bedroom three and has a large shower.

Location Type

Rural

On Virginia's 'Middle Peninsula' in a rural setting between the Piankatank and Rappahannock Rivers, near the Chesapeake Bay, one hour from Williamsburg and Richmond.

Village

Urbanna is about 10 miles away to the North and Gloucester Court House is 15 miles to the South. Both historic villages offer local shopping and restaurants.

Monument View

Many historic homes and churches can be found in this part of Virginia.

Water View

You can see the Piankatank River across the field adjacent to the Wilton property. Public boat access is just a mile away.

Waterfront

The Dragon Run, a wilderness preserve and unique ecosystem, flows downstream into the nearby Piankatank River.

Meals

Catering available

General

Fireplace

There are eight fireplaces in the house but, at this writing, fires are permitted in only one: the gathering room (Red Room) on the first floor.

Telephone

Heating

geothermal heating, with propane gas back-up.

Linens Provided

High quality linens are provided.

Washing Machine

Clothes Dryer

Air Conditioning

geothermal forced air, with electric back-up.

Parking

Ample outdoor parking adjacent to the house.

Internet

Router with wireless internet connection throughout the house.

Towels Provided

Iron & Board

Hair Dryer

Living Room

There are two spacious 'parlors.' One is the most 'historic' room in the house, simply furnished with a table and four chairs; the other is set up as a gathering room with more casual seating.

Kitchen

Dishwasher

Miele.

Refrigerator

Sub-zero.

Stove

Six burner Wolf range.

Oven

Wolf.

Microwave

Coffee Maker

Melita drip, Nespresso maker plus small simple expresso maker.

Toaster

Pantry Items

A supply of basic staples plus teas, coffee and bottled water will be available. Let us know if you have any special requests.

Dishes & Utensils

133 pieces of white French porcelain and flatware for up to 8 persons.

Kitchen

Big country kitchen, with seating for six at an antique hutch table and Windsor chairs.

Outside

There is ample outdoor seating around the house. A vast lawn would accommodate croquet, touch football, softball. You name it.

Kayak / Canoe

We do not supply kayaks, but there is very good kayaking in the immediate vicinity.

Boat

No boats provided but there is excellent boating in the nearby Piankatank and Rappahannock Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Deck / Patio

There are two outdoors patios, one with a teak dining table for eight, the other with bench and chairs.

Golf

The Piankatank River Golf Club course is 4 miles away. Thirteen miles, across the Rappahannock River, is the Golden Eagle course at the Tides Inn.

Suitability

wheelchair inaccessible

Onsite Services

Staff

Private Chef

Concierge

Notes

We can accommodate a wide variety of special requests -- from catering meals or stocking the fridge to daily housekeeping, local touring arrangements and more. Just let us know!

House Rules

Check-in: 2:30 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Cancellation Policy

100% refund if canceled at least 14 days before arrival date. 50% refund if canceled at least 7 days before arrival date.

27 Reviews

Exceptional5/5

1 - 6 of 27

Like "Somewhere back in time" this was one of those life remembering travel experiences.

5/5

Stayed Oct 2018

Richard B.

We visited Wilton around 2005/2006 prior to the post-2011 restoration.. Preservation

Virginia had the home for sale, subject to restoration in accord with the NPS guidelines. After two property previews, it was difficult to decline the acquisition.

We opted instead to restore a property in Cheraw SC (circa 1790) that was also on the

Nat. Registry. Now, actually occupying Wilton fully restored for three nights and being

able to absorb the full ambiance and measure of William Churchill's creation more than

250 years later really gave us an appreciation for an old home and a forgotten era. One does not need TV media in all the rooms to have an architectural romance with Wilton. Just entering any of the three outside doors is an enjoyable experience.

The restoring owner has generously provided and furnished the kitchen and dining

room and baths will all needed amenities. Sitting in a chair in the red room at front

listening to Bose classical music, with a good book and burning candle provided more than ample entertainment, all in accompaniment with a good wine! Indeed, the collection of period furniture and paintings embellished Wilton in a decorative manner seldom seen in many great houses in Virginia. The owner chose with great taste! We

plan to return next year and take advantage of its offering for rental that further stimulates our interest in the "Necks" and Tidewater. I can only imagine what a glorious venue that Wilton would be for our 2019 Thanksgiving. We are planning ahead!

Lane & Vicki Brown, Pinehurst NC

Submitted Oct 31, 2018

A Special Experience!

5/5

Stayed Sep 2018

Colleen G.

Wilton is not just a rental, it's an experience. The house has been beautifully preserved with luxury updates in just the right places. We cannot say enough about our stay! As others have mentioned it is a bit off the beaten path but is in such a peaceful location. It was also only a quick 30 minute drive to the Yorktown/Williamsburg/Jamestown area. We hope to return!

Submitted Sep 6, 2018

Best One yet!!!!

5/5

Stayed Aug 2018

Stephen p.

We have stayed at a number of homes through VBRO and I must say this is by far the best! The home is so unique and so much history from the exterior to the detailed interior rooms. It literally brings you back in time the minute you walk in the house. I am an explorer by heart and was amazed at the freedom you have when staying here to explore the whole house and the out buildings on the property. I even explored around the property and cornfields. The modern amenities in the kitchen and bathrooms are top of the line. This is the perfect historical getaway and we are definitely going back during the winter.

Submitted Sep 2, 2018

Exquisite experience!

5/5

Stayed Jul 2018

Kelly D.

Mr. Foster’s home is an incredible step back into time and a perfect retreat from the world today. Nothing has been spared and Judith ensured our family’s time there was memorable, this is not just a place to stay to tour the surrounding areas, this is an incredible experience in itself and the history of the house and contents will leave an imprint. We wish we would have stayed longer, our kids are 18, 15, 13 and 10, staying there gave them the opportunity to learn more and explore history. We visited Williamsburg and they kept saying how Wilton was better than the homes they visited there. Our family will be back!

Submitted Jul 26, 2018

Though it was a short visit, it was lovely. The manor house felt as special as it looks.

5/5

Stayed Jun 2018

Laureen B.

We were attending a family wedding in the area and this property made the occasion that much more special. The beds were comfortable and the beautiful 21st century kitchen and bathrooms did not detract from the feel of the property.

One evening I sat in the parlor reading some of the wonderful books about homes in the region, several of which included the manor house. The homes history was fascinating and it was overall a wonderful experience.

One suggestion I would make would be to have some cushions available for the outside furniture.

Submitted Jul 4, 2018

Magical Experience

5/5

Stayed Dec 2017

KateOoltewah, TN

It is literally impossible to write a review that captures the magic of this wonderful place. On the one hand, the house itself is carefully preserved in time, and one can get a small sense of what it must have been like to live in the eighteenth century. After taking evening meals in the splendid dining room, we spent our evenings with family playing games by the light of candles and the warmth of the fireplace in the red room.

On the other hand, the house has just the right amount of modern amenities. The house has reliable WiFi, and the kitchen is well stocked. The beds are quite comfortable with fine linens, and the modern showers are a nice touch. Despite the weather being below freezing for most of our trip, the house itself was always warm and comfortable.

Judith was easy to work with, and she was very responsive to all of our needs. We were also fortunate on our first day to be able to speak with Glenn Ballantyne, who helped us explore the property and discussed with us Wilton’s lore.

During our time there, we visited Williamsburg and Yorktown several times, and the property is close enough to those attractions to be a good place to stay.

In all, we spent four nights at Wilton, and wish very much that it could have been more. Even weeks later, we are still reminiscing about the special experience we had there, and we are certainly looking forward to staying there again!

Submitted Jan 17, 2018

1 - 6 of 27

Map

Hartfield, VA, USA

In Middlesex County, in Virginia's 'Middle' Peninsula, near the Piankatank and Rappahannock Rivers and Chesapeake Bay close to historic homes and churches and one hour to Colonial Williamsburg, Richmond and many James River Plantations.

Rates & Availability

Taxes and fees are additional

Additional information about rental rates

Refundable Damage Deposit

$500

For stays of more than one week, fresh linens and towels are provided weekly, unless other arrangements are made for more frequent housekeeping services.